Street (smart) art

Published September 17, 2012

Zameen, Asman aur Mein (mixed media on clay title).-Photo by Dawn

KARACHI: Creating art featuring street children is no mean feat. It requires great care, because the artist needs to understand the idiosyncrasies associated with street life as well as the fine line crossing which that kind of art can become vain and meaningless. Life on the street is diametrically opposed to life in the living rooms. An exhibition of Sayeda M. Habib’s latest works titled ‘Challo’ is these days under way at the Canvas Gallery. The show succeeds to a great extent in achieving the goal of keeping true to street basics.

Jeay II (mixed media on clay tile).-Photo by Dawn

The 36 exhibits encapsulate the life that one sees on the street, and one of the most expressive specimens is ‘Jeay II’ (mixed media on clay tile). With a flair for sloganeering (imagine socialist chants on Pakistan’s roads) alongside a host of other colourful writings signify the socio-cultural hodgepodge that our society has turned out to be. This should not be mistaken that the artist has done this at the expense of the innate innocence with which such graffiti is made. That’s there too.

An interesting artwork is ‘Zameen, Asmaan aur Mein’ (mixed media on clay tile). The play of the slogan ‘Huq Baat’ (truth) is juxtaposed with dangerous ailments like cancer and thalassaemia. It is a sharp commentary on how politics borders on hypocrisy and how it often eclipses more important issues.

Portrait III (oil on aluminium tava).-Photo by Dawn

Ms Habib then changes the subject but not the essence of her endeavour. The eight portraits of street children (oil on aluminium tava) are a visual treat. They capture the kind of individuals these children are, whom anyone can see roaming around the streets giving two hoots about the rest of the world, but when they’re asked to strike a pose or do something publicly, their childish reluctance tinged with unknown eagerness has the better of them. In that context, ‘Portrait III’ might endorse the observation. It’s the picture of a young man who knows he’s being looked at, and yet finds it difficult to look that way. Instead he stares blankly outside of the frame.

Even then, his consciousness of being watched is noticeable.

The exhibition will continue till Sept 20.

Opinion

Political capitalism

Political capitalism

Pakistani decision-makers salivate at the prospect of a one-party state but without paying attention to those additional ingredients.

Editorial

Spending restrictions
Updated 13 May, 2024

Spending restrictions

The country's "recovery" in recent months remains fragile and any shock at this point can mean a relapse.
Climate authority
13 May, 2024

Climate authority

WITH the authorities dragging their feet for seven years on the establishment of a Climate Change Authority and...
Vending organs
13 May, 2024

Vending organs

IN these cash-strapped times, black marketers in the organ trade are returning to rake it in by harvesting the ...
A turbulent 2023
Updated 12 May, 2024

A turbulent 2023

Govt must ensure judiciary's independence, respect for democratic processes, and protection for all citizens against abuse of power.
A moral victory
12 May, 2024

A moral victory

AS the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Friday in favour of granting Palestine greater rights at the...
Hope after defeat
12 May, 2024

Hope after defeat

ON Saturday, having fallen behind Japan in the first quarter of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final, Pakistan showed...